Congress demands CBI probe into boy's murder in Gurugram school

The Congress on Monday demanded a CBI probe into the murder of a seven-year-old student at a school in Gurugram district of Haryana. It also sought the registration of a case against the school management for violating safety guidelines.

The party said a woman on the school management team was a leader of the BJP Mahila Morcha and accused the Haryana government of trying to protect the management after the crime.

The party demanded a probe against district officials in Gurugram for the cane charge on protesting parents and mediapersons, in which around 50 persons were injured.

"We condemn the child's murder in the strongest words. We also demand strong action against Ryan International School's management and a criminal case against them," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said here.

"The case should be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation and the culprits punished. Strong action be also taken against the school for flouting guidelines on safety of children in schools, which were issued by the Gurugram Police," he added.

The party said standard guidelines for schoolchildren's safety must be implemented in all private and government schools across the country.

"The school's Vigilance Officer, officials responsible for safety of schoolkids and the management are responsible for failure to ensure the child's safety. It reeks of conspiracy and complicity. The school premise was misused as empty liquor bottles were found on the campus," the Congress leader added.

Surjewala said: "Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh made fun of parents and said seeking a CBI inquiry had become a fashion nowadays. The Education Minister gave a clean chit to the school and said there will be no probe."

"The manner in which the Khattar government is trying to hush up the matter reflects the arrogance of the BJP," the Congress leader said.

Gurugram (then Gurgaon) Police issued the guidelines on schoolchildren's safety in 2014, prepared by the parents concerned, NGOs, civil and police officials, judiciary and media.

The guidelines aim to ensure children's safety from abuse -- verbal, physical or sexual -- by any staff, be it teaching/non-teaching/contractual, older students or any other person while on the campus or on the transport route.

"It also mentioned that CCTVs must cover all critical areas of school premises, including entry and exit points, and even entrance to toilets, which was not there," said Surjewala.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, the CBI, the state government and others on the child's father Varun Chandra Thakur's plea for a CBI probe into Pradhuman's murder on September 8.

--IANS

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